Luke Whitehouse
@Lwhitehouse12
The Springfield College basketball team has had back-to-back seasons that have been filled with success, including a 2021 trip to the sweet 16. There were always two constants during this stretch in the middle of the action: Samantha Hourihan and Rachel Vinton.
But in 2023, the dynamic duo will be no more as Hourihan has moved on – leaving Vinton to steer the ship in her fifth and final season.
She is coming off of a career year in which she led the Pride in both assists per game (3.4) and steals per game (1.9), while being second in both points per game (10.1) and field goal percentage (46%).
The team has also added a group of talented first-year players that will be key contributors. And although the expectation has been set, for head coach Naomi Graves it’s all about building a new foundation for the 2023 team.
“I think we’re going to take it one day at a time because we’re young,” Graves said.
Graves recognizes that with a young team that there will be bumps and bruises. But so far she likes what she has seen from the group.
“What I do see is great energy. I think Claire Finney is doing amazing work. I think Natalie Lucas is doing a great job. I just think we’re a very cohesive team. I think we’re led by different people.”
Without Hourihan, Vinton knows what she has to do as a leader.
“I feel like I have to be more vocal than I usually am,” she admitted. “I think this year different people are going to have to step up and kind of fill the shoes of [Hourihan].”
Although Hourihan’s absence will be felt, the Pride have plenty to be excited about.
In addition to Vinton, Springfield has three players that started over 15 games last season including senior Jaélen Daubon, junior Angie Czeremcha and sophomore Stefany Padula – providing some continuity to a young team.
“I think it’s huge,” Graves said.“And I think with having Rachel back she’s like another coach.”
Graves also alluded to Vinton’s role and potential lineup constructions. With the Pride’s depth at the guard position, it will allow them to have different combinations in the backcourt.
“Vinton may not be our primary point guard,” Graves said. “We can go with Amanda Leary or Riley [Robinson] too. So you’re gonna see maybe combo kinda guard on the court more often where either one of them can take the point. So I think taking some pressure off of her having to direct and lead will allow her to be free.”
Springfield is coming off a season in which they ended 18-9, but finished fifth in the NEWMAC after playing to a 7-3 record in conference play.
The Pride come into the 2023-24 season ranked fourth in the NEWMAC preseason poll, and Graves is optimistic that her team will compete, but knows it won’t be easy.
“I think that the goal for us is to play our best basketball every day that we can play and be grateful that we’re together,” Graves said. “Our schedule is hard. So we’re gonna get hit early, which I’m glad about. Because I think that’s gonna let us get better for the conference. And you know, the conference is one of the toughest conferences. And I’m very hopeful that we’re going to contend for the NEWMAC tournament and championship.”
The Pride kick off their season next Wednesday against cross-town rival Western New England on Nov. 8 and Graves couldn’t be more excited.”
“The nerves that the first game for both teams is going to be there,” Graves said. “We’re gonna have to play well to win and they’re gonna have to play well to beat us. So I think that’s a great challenge.”
Photo courtesy of Springfield Athletics